Canvas paint or dye?

[Harbormaster]

I just purchased a 1988 harbor master coastal 520. It has a royal blue screen that snaps across the outside of the lower helm windshield but it is badly faded in places. This cover is a mesh material that is see through.

My question is can it be painted or dyed to restore its original color?

Thank you for your assistance.

[roverhi]

If it's a synthetic like SunBrella, doubt that it can be dyed. The synthetics are yarn died, otherwise extruded from yarn of that color and won't absorb a dye. If it's cotton or other organic material might be able to die it but will probably bleach back out quickly. There are fabric paints that may work but would worry about printing through onto what's underneath the fabric.

[Strygaldwir]

We tried bleaching our Sunbrella bimini, the old colors would not come out. We tried dying it, the colors would not take. We then sprayed painted it. That worked until we finally got around to replacing with a new top.

Good Luck.

[thinwater]

If the windscen is plastic (Lexan or acrylic) dye or paint could trnasfer to the plastic. Trouble.

Leave it be.

[sailorchic34]

Paint will work. I being somewhat frugal, decided to paint my sacrificial UV insignia cloth on my furling jib rather then replace it. Used Glidden exterior acrylic enamel from the big box store (SemiGloss bright Fuschia of course). It is holding up really well. Best $12 I spent...

Oh I sail quite a bit so its unfurled and furled quite a bit too...

So go for it....

[FSMike]

That mesh screen is probably rubber or a plastic of some sort rather than a fabric. If so, it will probably need to be replaced. Check with a local marine canvas shop.

[gcaptain]

Does anyone have advice on which kinds of paint to try and is there any specific outdoor upholstery paint or dye that might work well on marine canvas? I've read some good reviews of Simple Spray online but mostly for home garden use.

I have a bunch of extra fabric that's the same color (Sail Blue) as my dodger and I was planning on conducting a test, will post the results in a few weeks.